CMSA celebrates sports, more at its annual party on March 7

The CMSA Annual Party is Saturday, March 7, at The Cubby Bear Wrigleyville (1059 W. Addison St.), featuring a drag show hosted by T Rex, dance beats from renowned DJ Laura B and live music from Mister E Machine.

The CMSA Annual Party unites members of the predominantly-LGBT Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association. CMSA president Matt Herek said the Annual Party is "a special event, unique to our organization that brings together the athletes from all of our sports. It shows anyone who attends how diverse CMSA is in comparison to other groups in the inclusive sports space."

The event runs from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., and is free for all CMSA member and $10 for non-members (must be 21 years-old to attend).

"The main goal (for the Annual Party) is to celebrate CMSA and the communities our members represent," said Herek, who noted that the event was moved from January to March "to celebrate the sports that are wrapping up their winter seasons while providing an opportunity to promote our spring and summer sports."

Herek added, "One of the strengths of CMSA is that we are intergenerational and multicultural. We need events that bring everyone together."

Bringing T Rex to host the drag show was logical, Herek said, especially with the popularly of RuPaul's Drag Race. "Drag is all about being your most fabulous self, and CMSA is all about people being the most fabulous athlete they can be."

Laura B "knows how to keep a crowd dancing ...we know she is going to help us bring a Boystown vibe to Wrigleyville."

About 1,000 are expected to attend the Annual Party.

Herek, 43, has played flag football, volleyball, dodgeball, kickball and softball – with football, admittedly, his favorite.

He also is among the 2020 inductees into the CMSA Hall of Fame, along with Matt Simpson, Joe Cappelletti, Courtney Roberts, Felipe Rojas and Roadhouse 66.

The CMSA Hall of Fame ceremony is April 25 at Sidetrack, from 6-9 p.m.

CMSA has about 3,500 members, with beach volleyball serving as the association's largest sport among participants. Indoor volleyball has grown the most over the past year.

CMSA "provides a variety of inclusive sports in a diverse environment for athletes around Chicago," Herek said. "We are becoming more open to new sports and new opportunities to bring people together."

Esports is launching in March with their first tournament. "We will most likely add some one-off events through the summer, possibly Spikeball," Herek said.

"I have started to see the next generation of leaders stepping up with new ideas and new energy. It bodes well for the future," of CMSA, Herek said.